Beverly D scouting report: Elusive Million

A formerly French-based filly owned by Martin Schwartz and trained by Chad Brown – not 7-5 favorite Sea Calisi, but her new stablemate Elusive Million.

Not an original nominee to the Beverly D. (G1), Elusive Million was a surprise addition to the field. Between her unprepossessing record, and her tendency to be a little rank early, the three-year-old could be here to ensure a fast tempo for Sea Calisi.

Although by 2011 Epsom Derby (G1) hero Pour Moi, Elusive Million inherits speed from her dam, an Invincible Spirit half-sister to Schwartz’s 2009 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) (G1) heroine Elusive Wave. Elusive Million appears determined to use that engine early. Her quick action, and her whole vibe, are all about speed.

Despite her presumptive role here, Elusive Million was regarded highly enough to be made eligible for two classics – the Pouliches and the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (G1) – as well as the Prix Saint-Alary (G1).

Elusive Million, a $156,870 Arqana May two-year-old in training purchase, began her career in the provinces for Jean-Claude Rouget. She captured her debut at Tarbes (near Lourdes) last October and followed up on the synthetic at Marseilles – not the better known Borely, but Pont de Vivaux. Both of those juvenile appearances came in low-key events versus males at about 7 1/2 furlongs.

This season, Elusive Million has gone winless in three starts, all in her own division over a metric mile. She returned to action April 10 at Bordeaux le Bouscat, finishing fourth in a conditions race on soft ground. Elusive Million took a bigger step up in class to the Parisian circuit in a conditions race at Saint-Cloud, where she was third. The front-running winner, Prairie Pearl, has since been unplaced in both the Prix de Sandringham (G2) and Prix Bagatelle.

Rouget gave Elusive Million a chance in listed stakes company in the June 23 Prix La Sorellina at La Teste de Buch. Pulling while chasing the pace on the outside, she was in contention before dropping away in the stretch. Something was obviously amiss as she retreated through the field and was virtually eased.

 

Elusive Million has the profile of an import who can build a productive career in the U.S., so it’s the right move to send her to Brown. But if it weren’t for Sea Calisi, she probably wouldn’t commence her American campaign in this spot.

Photo courtesy of Four Footed Fotos